Northern Lights

Begbie · 5 Jan 2012 at 21:52

So a friend of mine fancies going to see the Northern Lights, has anyone been before? Where is the best place to go? Accomodation etc. Would be great if anyone has been.

Doing a bit of digging just now, it seems it can't be gaurnteed regardless of location but September through March gives you the best chance?

Thinking Iceland or Norway?

valkia · 5 Jan 2012 at 21:54

Something i've actually wanted to do also. I will go one day.

Spenty · 5 Jan 2012 at 21:57

North Pole, there's an empty shack on the way.

Thekwango · 5 Jan 2012 at 21:58

Will be following this thread, me and the better half get married in august and can't come up with a decent idea for a honeymoon that isn't the usual malarkey. i'd actually suggested this to here

dirtychinchilla · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:08

I think you'd be best of going to Scandinavia as Iceland is incredibly expensive.

Begbie · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:10

dirtychinchilla said:
I think you'd be best of going to Scandinavia as Iceland is incredibly expensive.

Thanks, will have a look.

Does anyone know what the chances of seeing them are? Maybe a link for different locations, different times of the year etc?

Would hate to go through all this effort to not see it! :/

semi-pro waster · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:11

I don't know if there's any one best place to go but once you start approaching the Arctic Circle then you've got a much better chance - I saw them a few times while I was in Rovaniemi in Finland and that's on the Arctic Circle, it also has a Santas Village if that appeals. Anywhere really far north in Scandanavia should do it although if you're lucky and conditions are just right then you can sometimes even see them way in the North of Scotland.

You can't guarantee seeing them, it's down to atmospheric conditions, the only thing you could do is go somewhere that it's likely and hope you get lucky.

dirtychinchilla · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:18

I believe, though, they're slightly predictable because at certain times of the year the atmospheric conditions may be more likely to be what's required.

I'm sure there will be loads of info online about it.

Biohazard · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:19

Go to the Ice Hotel in Norway if it's still there to see them and chill out so to speak. :cool:

Amp34 · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:21

I'm going to Northern Finland at the end of this month (booked a few days ago), hopefully I'll be seeing then shortly.

Cheap and hopefully will get some skiing and outdoor winter sports in as well.

From looking around it appears to be the usual, go with a "specialist" company and it costs fortune, go to one of the small ski resorts and do it yourself/book locally and it's significantly cheaper. Depends what you want I guess.

Biohazard · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:24

Amp34 said:
I'm going to Northern Finland at the end of this month (booked a few days ago), hopefully I'll be seeing then shortly.

Cheap and hopefully will get some skiing and outdoor winter sports in as well.

From looking around it appears to be the usual, go with a "specialist" company and it costs fortune, go to one of the small ski resorts and do it yourself/book locally and it's significantly cheaper. Depends what you want I guess.

How cheap is cheap? I've never been, I've not been skiiing for a while either...

Amp34 · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:29

Just over £500 for flights, basic hotel and a few hours snowmobiling (travelzoo special). We had planned on booking that resort already but it came up at the right time for half the price...

There are plenty of holidays for around £600 if you don't want pure luxury, obviously the extras (ski pass, skidoo, other winter sports) are extra.

Fuzz · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:35

I'll let you know on Sunday when I touch down in Kiruna 120 miles inside the Arctic circle.

Off to Abisko for an overnight stay to watch the Aurora on Wednesday at the "Skystation"

Spent £600 on excursions, £750 on accommodation and £310 on flights

http://www.auroraskystation.com/live-camera/9/

Lets hope I have a night that looks like 4th Jan 02:00:35

sparky05084 · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:36

This is definetly on my bucket list.

RomanNose · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:40

It's actually possible to see them in the UK, best place is the tip of Scotland but you have to be lucky.

funguST · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:43

I am planning on going to the tip of Scotland to see it, would rather go to Scotland and not see it on the day then travel to Norway to somewhere and not see it

(money wise anyway). I have a lot of Family up north of Scotland and they've seen it a lot. Not found out when the best time to go there yet though.

SexyGreyFox · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:46

My eldest daughter is going to Iceland on her on next week for 4 days

Fuzz · 5 Jan 2012 at 22:48

Dimple said:
My eldest daughter is going to Iceland on her on next week for 4 days

O'Rly

Not for a wedding is it?

igonre that.. I read Icehotel, not Iceland.

lloydsj · 5 Jan 2012 at 23:03

dirtychinchilla said:
I think you'd be best of going to Scandinavia as Iceland is incredibly expensive.

I heard that Iceland is a LOT cheaper nowadays, since the financial crisis. I'm not saying it's cheap mind... but better than it was. If you want to go Iceland, money-wise now is probably a good time tbh.

Begbie · 5 Jan 2012 at 23:04

Amp34 said:
I'm going to Northern Finland at the end of this month (booked a few days ago), hopefully I'll be seeing then shortly.

Cheap and hopefully will get some skiing and outdoor winter sports in as well.

From looking around it appears to be the usual, go with a "specialist" company and it costs fortune, go to one of the small ski resorts and do it yourself/book locally and it's significantly cheaper. Depends what you want I guess.

This would be good, means we could do some skiing etc when were there if we don't see the northern lights. Not a wasted holiday then. Any links who you booked through etc?